How to Keep Toilets From Clogging

Many things flushed down a toilet may cause it to clog. (Image: Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images)

All toilets can clog, but modern toilets use less water per flush and this means some may be more prone to clogging. Dealing with a clogged toilet can get messy fast and take some time to correct. A plunger is usually all it takes to get rid of a clog, but if the toilet has overflowed, you’ll have that mess to deal with afterward. If you make some changes in your household, you can prevent a lot of clogging and mess.

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Switch to single-ply toilet paper or use less of your two-ply toilet paper. The less paper put in the toilet, the less likely it will clog.

Avoid putting anything but toilet paper into the toilet. Even items deemed flushable, such as some feminine hygiene products, may cause clogs.

Keep toilet lids closed and move items that could fall into the toilet further away.

Tips & Warnings

If even using smaller amounts of toilet paper causes clogging, switch to a fast-decomposing paper sold for camping use.

Usually toilet clogs are just caused by putting too much into the bowl; sometimes, however, tree roots can invade plumbing and cause toilets to back up. If you suspect this is the case, or a plumber has told you so, you can buy chemicals to flush down your toilet to keep the roots at bay.